beki

If only JSF had built her into a medal contender... forever bitter. At least commentators like the British Eurosport guys and Lipnitskaia still talk about her that way.

I liked their FD, but it didn't seem to be catching fire for them. I wonder if they should've gone back to Hitchcock though.

I know we are and will remain worried about Yuzu's health right up to PC. But psychologically, Nathan shouldering the hype train is a good thing (and honestly I see cracks in his composure—I suspect Shoma and Boyang are a little stronger under pressure). Now Yuzu gets to be the chaser. I completely agree with Matsuoka-san: I hope Zhenya won't compete at Russian Nationals either, and is allowed to focus on being healthy in order to win the Olympic title over Zagitova. The chatter I remember about Yuzu's gold is that at least he had that phenomenal short program, above and beyond the rest. The free skates were all pretty bad. Feeling a little gloomy that we may be in for a repeat of that. Then again, the Olympics is all about surprises. Who knows, perhaps Yuzu is finally destined to win 4CC.

Yeah, I’m torn, because you’re right, but I feel like Seimei most needs another outing. Maybe LP instead of SP?

If he withdraws from Nats, I hope he’ll do the short and the long in the team event, if his physical condition permits. Because he’ll need the competition mileage after not competing for 4 months. Since Japan won’t medal, it isn’t taking a medal chance away from Shoma.

Same here. I really feel for him, because if he’s lost heart, there isn’t an easy way to get it back.

I dunno, I really appreciate the difference between junior and senior skating. I like to watch young adults with a point of view—I definitely prefer maturity to youthful exuberance 99% of the time, even if I see the potential to come. Maturity isn't the same as age. Wakaba and Polina T. already seem to have some gravitas to their skating, not to say they can't be fun too. The way it is now, girls move up to seniors when they have the technical elements. But they still have more to learn. Hold your movements; develop charisma. Maybe I wouldn't mind the youthful programs if they didn't seem saccharine. Mai and Bradie's Cinderellas are that way for me. Mai's long program this year is good. Yuna Shiraiwa's short to Girl with Flaxen Hair strikes the right balance. I'm exaggerating here, and it sounds rude, but I don't want to watch a kiddie pageant. It's why I didn't warm up to Tara Lipinski while she was competing. When I rewatch her performances now, I appreciate what she did. I love the movie Amelie, but I'm not quite sure Kaori's program captures that quirkiness effectively. It's actually a pretty tricky concept to portray. Funnily enough, I can imagine older ice dancers like Anna and Luca pulling it off.

I know it seems trivial, but Sakamoto should probably follow Mihara's lead and ditch the ponytail. An updo confers a little instant maturity.

I'd love to be the fly on the wall who saw all the requests Misha had to turn down this year. And he's thriving in every respect! Lori has always done a lot of volume, and always been hit and miss. As the younger choreographers' workloads increase, they could end up the same; it's natural enough. She creates the greatest works for skaters who inspire her and become her muses. I'd still argue Boyang's short program is very, very good. Whoever was in charge of the LP music cuts needs a pie in the face. But maybe it wasn't her. Did she do Han Yan's programs this year? Because if so, she finally gets what makes him tick, after years of giving him schtickier fare. I think Boyang's injuries are the main issue. If he were healthy, we'd see more PCS progress and maybe he could make these programs work.

Haha actually I completely agree The thing is they let it slip and are backtracking now

I believe it is true and she is trying to influence them, for better or worse. Johnny Weir mentioned he thought Satoko was overtraining in Lake Placid.

My reservations come from the fact Nathan is applying to truly top-tier schools. I think it will be really hard for him to balance those course loads with a skating career. Up to him to try of course. Paul Wylie went to Harvard.

I just feel like Karen didn’t get enough guidance and investment. Such an important year and she didn’t get proper vehicles from her team, meanwhile crickets from USFS?!

Kind of an inadvertent confirmation Nathan won't be a full-time high level competitor for the next quad. Which is one of the things that holds me back from being his fan. With such a demanding academic load, there's a limit to how much he can develop as a skater.

I find it really impressive how Carolina has improved her spins over the years. Even though she's not extremely flexible, they are beautiful and interesting.

Brendan’s move is a shock for sure, but it always seemed to me like his previous coach Tammy Gambill could get skaters close to the top but not all the way there. So maybe it will work out.

Just watched Kana and Chris’ NHK free dance—what a wonderful piece of art on ice!

Nothing too surprising. The main idea is he can easily win with lower difficulty, and we all already know that. And we know he doesn’t want to. It sounds like Brian and Tracy will ultimately go with his wishes no matter what. The harsh part is saying he may be choosing his ideal program with the harder quads over a second win at the Olympics. Understandable. Unlike Hersh, probably the point we are at is realizing his goal is insane, but still believing he can do it. We’ve been down this road before.

The Star Wars concept is a good one for Boyang. But he’s in a pickle because those music cuts are a total mess, and will be difficult to fix without rearranging his entire program layout. His short program can be a strong vehicle once he performs it better.

Are we differing over semantics? I agree Shoma isn’t violating any rules. I also don’t think following the rules means the game is fair. Let’s state that clearly. Often rules are unfair, or completely overlook and fail to acknowledge advantage and disadvantage. In politics, in society. Unfairness is everywhere and can never improve if it isn’t called out. Yes, Marin and Yuzu have some benefit over others too. That’s exactly my point. Lawfulness and justice are not equivalent. Yuzu is extra careful to be gracious and humble and I respect that effort. It’s a part of his greatness. It’s a part of Kohei Uchimura’s greatness. None of this has much to do with Shoma as an individual, because I don’t get the sense he’s at the stage of his career to have the final say over what his team does.

I think it’s important to note that the playing field isn’t level. It’s much more difficult to get top training as a small federation skater. It’s why it’s so impressive for a skater like Julian Yee from Malaysia to get to the Olympics without that level of support. Many sessions he practices on his own without coaching. Yuzu also benefits from the resources he has. But it’s a bad look for Shoma to have access other skaters don’t to competition ice. There’s no rule against it but imo it’s right to frown upon it. Once skaters are at the competition venue, they should face the same conditions.

The time reduction is just the ISU being cheap and stingy imo. They continually erode the difference between the short and long program. Also, cutting down the pairs field and eliminating ice dance compulsories. All to save time and money. We should worry that eventually there will be only one program segment.

I have a love-hate relationship with Loco. The wailing woman got kinda much with rewatch, but it was unique and special. I was surprised he went the generic route this year, even though I understand why.

I didn't like the costume at ACI, but once the darker swirls were added to the squid for Rostelecom, I did.

I keep recalling Brian's recent interview where he says his students make their own decisions, but he prevents "insane acts." Has to be Zu. Chopin 4A? Poor Brian. I'm glad he'll be with Yuzu at NHK, but flying around the world soon after surgery is also an insane act of dedication! Nevermind, catching up on the thread I see he probably won't. Very sensible. Still, maybe we should start a thank you/get well project for him?